of the
tail of it, having had none before. Afterward we saw a smoke on the
island Kosiway, which continued all night.

1700.

THEY DESCRY THE COAST OF NEW GUINEA.

On New Year's Day we first descried the land of New Guinea, which
appeared to be high land; and the next day we saw several high islands on
the coast of New Guinea, and ran in with the mainland. The shore here
lies along east-south-east and west-north-west. It is high even land,
very well clothed with tall flourishing trees, which appeared very green
and gave us a very pleasant prospect. We ran to the westward of four
mountainous islands; and in the night had a small tornado, which brought
with it some rain and a fair wind. We had fair weather for a long time;
only when near any land we had some tornadoes; but off at sea commonly
clear weather; though if in sight of land we usually saw many black
clouds hovering about it.

THEY ANCHOR ON THE COAST OF NEW GUINEA.

On the 5th and 6th of January we plied to get in with the land; designing
to anchor, fill water, and spend a little time in searching the country,
till after the change of the moon; for I found a strong current setting
against us. We anchored in 38 fathom water, good oazie ground. We had an
island of a league long without us, about 3 miles distant; and we rode
from the main about a mile. The easternmost point of land seen bore east
by south half south, distance 3 leagues: and the westernmost
west-south-west half south, distance 2 leagues. So soon as we anchored we
sent the pinnace to look for water, and try if they could catch any fish.
Afterwards we sent the yawl another way to see for water. Before night
the pinnace brought on board several sorts of fruits that they found in
the woods, such as I never saw before.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PLACE, AND OF A STRANGE FOWL FOUND THERE.

One of my men killed a stately land-fowl, as big as the largest
dunghill-cock. It was of a sky-colour; only in the middle of the wings
was a white spot, about which were some reddish spots: on the crown it
had a large bunch of long feathers, which appeared very pretty. His bill
was like a pigeon's; he had strong legs and feet, like dunghill-fowls;
only the claws were reddish. His crop was full of small berries. It lays
an egg as big as a large hen's egg; for our men climbed the tree where it
nested and brought off one egg. They found water; and reported that the
trees were large, tall and very thick; and that they sa